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Site Closed
Reservations for Barber Cabin are closed while the Russian River Campground area is closed to all public use. The closure order is in effect until Nov. 30, 2025, unless rescinded sooner.
Recreation Region: Eastern Kenai Peninsula

Barber Cabin

A 16 x 20-foot log cabin on Lower Russian Lake surrounded by spruce forest and meadows with mountain views. 

This cabin accommodates up to 6 people. Cabin amenities include a table, wood stove, splitting maul, crosscut saw, outhouse, and a boat with oars.

No running water, electricity, mattress or bedding, cooking utensils, or cut firewood is provided on site. 

Pack out what you pack in and leave the cabin clean for the next guest!

Reservations

Make Reservations Here

Visit Recreation.gov or call 1-877-444-6777 (overseas: 518-885-3639) to check availability and make a reservation. Cabin reservations can be made up to 180 days in advance. Cabin check-in and check-out time is 12 p.m.

Reservations made on Recreation.gov are non-transferable through a third party to prevent abuse, and unauthorized sale and resale. If necessary, work through Recreation.gov to adjust reservations. Contact the Seward Ranger District office for questions regarding location-specific policy. 

If you cannot use your reservation, please modify or cancel your reservation to make space for others.

Reserve Barber Cabin

The maximum consecutive stay for this cabin is 3 nights. 

General Information

Open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, year-round. Check-in/Check-out time is 12pm.

A permit is required to fish at the Barber Cabin. Visit the Alaska Department of Fish & Game's website to review fishing regulations and to purchase a permit.

Note: Salmon fish counts are monitored throughout Alaska and determine the daily limits for sport, commercial and subsistence fishing. Anyone fishing in Alaska should be aware that the limits are subject to change and/or restriction depending on the fish count. 

Emergency orders, often restricting the harvest of king salmon, can be issued at any time and have the same force and effect as law. Be sure to check the ADF&G's Emergency Order and Press Releases page prior to fishing.

Russian Lakes Trail is closed to motorized vehicles year round between Russian River Campground and Upper Russian Lake Cabin. Russian Lakes Trail closed to pack/saddle stock from April 1- June 30.  

Overnight Use:
Peak season (May 01 - September 30):
$75 per night
Non-peak season (October 01 - April 31):
$50 per night
Additional Weekend Fee: $25 per night

Per night prices range from $50-75 depending on the season. Cabin fees are based on non-peak/peak season/days. Seasons vary by cabin. A non-refundable service fee will be added to each reservation by Recreation.gov

Contact Name: Seward Ranger District Office

Contact Phone: (907) 288-3178

Getting There

Latitude / Longitude

Latitude: 60.4374

Longitude: -149.9866

Directions

Barber Cabin is located off of the Russian Lakes Trail and is 3.4 miles from the trailhead at Russian River Campground. Once you reach mile 2.5, turn onto the Barber Cabin spur trail.

The route in winter is 4.2 miles long and follows the Russian River Campground entrance road, the summer trail for 1.8 miles, then a marked winter route and across the frozen surface of Lower Russian Lake. 

Cabin can be accessed by hiking, mountain biking, horse riding, skiing, and float plane.

Travel Considerations

Visitors should be aware that winter conditions will likely increase the hike's difficulty.

Facility and Amenity Information

Accessibility

The cabin is accessible to wheelchair users with ramps at the front and rear doors, outhouse, and boat dock. 

Restrooms

Restrooms are available at this site.

Water

Potable water is not available at this site.

Picnic Tables

Picnic tables are not available at this site.

Recreation Opportunities

Fishing - River/Stream Info

Visitors can fish the Russian River for rainbow trout and sockeye and coho salmon during the open seasons. Visit the Alaska Department of Fish & Game's website to review fishing regulations.

Salmon fish counts are monitored throughout Alaska and determine the daily limits for sport, commercial and subsistence fishing. All persons fishing the Russian River should be aware that the limits are subject to change or restriction depending on the fish count. 

Emergency orders, often restricting the harvest of king salmon, can be issued at any time and have the same force and effect as law. Be sure to check the ADF&G's Emergency Order and Press Releases page prior to fishing.

Last updated August 18th, 2025